Playing with the ISC

[Berf]

OK, just to be sure, I assume you're talking about the Blast and/or Explosive(x) equipments, not the Burn marker effects (which don't ignore Protection), so I'll give you advices concerning that kind of Equipments.
If you want to deal with them in the most simple way, try playing the Blue Kami, as his (huge) Protection is always taken into account. So it laughs in the face of explosions and flamers. Jokers hate it
But okay, let's say you don't play this juggernaut. Here are a couple advices. First and foremost, spread you troop a little, so as not to let two Drones being caught with one template. Don't be too afraid. A Drone can usually sustain two explosions/flamer type damages without dying, and that is essential seeing as a Drone a) cannot be incapacitated, which means it can still work at full power even when engulfed in the flames, b) Drones don't fear Jokers to much aside from the explosive weapons. So stay focus on the main threat, Vladd here, who can be an easy prey for the Kunoichi and/or the Mamushi. He is also quite slow (PSD 4), so you can easily anticipate him and fight him mano a mano (the Ronin is one of the most efficient Drone here, but the Samurai, the Kitsune or the Rikishi are very good too, if you bet enough in order to be first player).
If Vladd is hidden behind his painted goons, try for some Crushing (Daimyo or Hadakauma), also don't forget the Battering ram TC (Convoy starter), a great way to Charge through a line of defense, or the Provocation TC to make him come to you. Another way to deal with those Michael Bay's fans is to scare them, and the Komuso is simply excellent at that. Vladd with two Fear markers is in deep trouble, because during one round (at least) he is completely useless (that stands for almost all of the Jokers, who hate Fear markers, because of their low PSI). Add a Gaki to lower that stat and you can watch the clowns run in circle for a long time.
Another Drone quite able to make Vladd look like a total fool is the Konchu. Between its ability to lower CBT or SPD stat, his unstoppable movement and his electric cannon which prevents any movement for the round, the steel caterpillar can be a serious pain.
Aside notes : Yuri can be troublesome, because it is extremely hard to prevent him from using his Molotov. He's fast, he's hard to catch, so assume you will 'eat' the molotov. But it's a once-in-a-game weapon, so don't panick. Just be ready for it. Also, the Molotov needs a line of sight, even if it does not target a specific fighter but just a point on the Field. So remember that the Ronin's Smoke screen blocks lines of sight (inside and through) and fighters also block them, so no Molotov right behind your back or inside the Smokescreen for example.
If you don't know Nicolaï yet, then you're lucky. This guy is the worst for the Drones, seeing he is an improved Molotov launcher (better range and once every round !). Oh and his main weapon also can pack some real damage, so be careful when facing him. Kunoichi is you're main asset here, deploy it close to him if you can, shoot twice and retreat with your special move. Two shots can take him down, easily if you passed an Enragement or Inhuman force TC beforehand. Otherwise, catch him quickly and make sure he uses his AP in order to Dodge.
That being said, don't forget that the outcome of the game depends on the Missions far more than on a theoretical way of defeating Vladd or his friends, so make sure that you're playing the right Mission considering your team. If you're playing a more defensive team (Komsuo, Ronin and Rikishi for example), you don't 'need' to search the fight. Just play an 'objective' type of Mission and wait for the clowns. Avoid playing a 'Fight' mission when they are playing one too (or the Plunder mission), unless you're sure too have the upper-hand (a fully dedicated brawl team, like a Ronin, Hadakauma, Konchu team).
Hope that helps